Addressing workforce gaps in Karnataka’s Nutritional Rehabilitation Centres (NRCs) must be a key focus to enhance their effectiveness, according to a study by the Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC).
The research assessed the infrastructure and service quality of NRCs, which, under National Health Mission guidelines, offer nutritional and community support to children suffering from Severe Acute Malnourishment (SAM). Karnataka has 119 NRCs, including 33 at district hospitals or medical colleges and 86 at taluk-level facilities, catering to over 11,600 malnourished children. The state allocated ₹392 crore for NRCs in the 2024-25 budget.
Between October and December 2023, ISEC researchers studied NRCs in Yadgir, Gadag, and Ramanagar—selected based on high child malnutrition rates from NFHS-5 data. Their findings, submitted to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, highlight staff shortages, salary delays, and insufficient personnel, affecting patient intake and service delivery.
In Yadgir, low caregiver compensation (₹100/day) and limited awareness reduced admissions. Gadag’s NRC faced staff shortages, lacked a dedicated kitchen, and had no play area or television. Both centres reported shortages of antibiotics and eye drops. Ramanagar’s NRC had poorly maintained admission records and lacked nursing stations, play areas, and counselling spaces.
Despite these shortcomings, all three centres reported high recovery rates (94.4%–97.4%), with Gadag leading. Ramanagar recorded the highest daily weight gain (18.5 gm/kg/day). The study suggests addressing these regional gaps to improve child nutrition care across Karnataka.
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